KUALA LUMPUR – The Opposition has questioned the government’s decision not to pursue legal action against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the Pulau Batu Puteh issue, citing his age while legal proceedings continue in cases involving leaders who have already passed away.
Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari raised the matter, comparing Dr Mahathir’s case with the different treatment received by the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, whose assets were seized posthumously.
“The Prime Minister should admit that there is no solid evidence to charge Dr Mahathir in the first place.
“If it’s about age, the MACC still took action against the late Tun Daim by seizing his estate assets even after his death.
"Dr Mahathir is not like certain individuals who delay court cases, seek immunity and so on.
"In fact, if the government proceeds to charge Dr Mahathir, perhaps the ‘old man’ would, without fear, step into the dock to defend himself.
“It’s not that I’m defending Dr Mahathir wholeheartedly, but I’m sick of the Prime Minister’s excuses.
"Just step down, that would solve a major national problem,” he said during a debate session in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
Ahmad Fadhli, who is also Pas Information Chief, was referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that the government decided not to take legal action against former Dr Mahathir over the Pulau Batu Puteh issue due to his advanced age.
Anwar had previously said the Cabinet’s decision also took into account Mahathir’s status as a former Prime Minister.
However, he stated that the Cabinet still holds the view that Dr Mahathir was at fault for his 2018 decision, as Prime Minister, to relinquish Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore so easily.